Canadian Rockies Circle by Rail and Road Trip

Day 1 Vancouver to Whistler with Sea to Sky Gondola | 122 km/76 mi Depart Vancouver and travel north along the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway, where the deep blue waters of Howe Sound meet towering coastal peaks. Enjoy scenic viewpoint stops along the way before reaching Shannon Falls, where water cascades from the granite cliffs. Continue to the Sea to Sky Gondola for elevated views over Howe Sound, coastal rainforest and surrounding mountain peaks, then pass the sheer granite face of the Stawamus Chief. Farther north, pause at Tantalus Lookout for striking views across the valley to the Tantalus Range and Rumbling Glacier on a clear day. Continue through the dramatic Cheakamus River corridor, where forested slopes, deep gorges and rugged mountain scenery lead toward Whistler. Just before arriving, look for the vivid turquoise waters of Green Lake, coloured by glacial runoff, before continuing into Whistler.

Day 2 Whistler | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 5 Excursions Today you can tailor your day by choosing one of five Whistler experiences. Option 1. Whistler Guided Lunch Tour Discover Whistler’s lively culinary scene on a guided lunch tour through the village. Enjoy a delicious multi-course experience at some of the resort’s favourite local dining spots, with sweet stops along the way for artisan chocolate and treats. Option 2. River of Golden Dreams Guided Canoe Tour Paddle one of Whistler’s most scenic waterways on a summertime canoe journey from Alta Lake to Green Lake. Drift past wildflower-lined banks, mountain views, old-growth forest and quiet wetlands, with the chance to spot local wildlife along the way. Option 3. Whistler Peak 2 Peak Gondola Experience Whistler from above on the spectacular Peak 2 Peak Gondola, connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Take in panoramic views of glaciers, alpine valleys, extinct volcanoes and snow-capped peaks from one of the most iconic mountain gondola rides in the world. Option 4. Ziptrek Eco Tour Soar above Whistler’s stunning rainforest on Ziptrek Eco Tours’ Bear or Eagle Tours—an unforgettable ziplining adventure blending thrilling heights with breathtaking nature and eco-education. Option 5. Upgrade Option: Bear Safari in Whistler Olympic Park Venture into the wilderness of Whistler Olympic Park in search of black bears in their natural habitat. Travel by vehicle through pristine alpine landscapes, watch for bears foraging in open meadows and enjoy impressive mountain views from the park’s iconic ski jump area.

Day 3 Whistler to Sun Peaks | 357 km/222 mi Leave Whistler and travel the dramatic Duffey Lake Road, one of British Columbia’s most scenic mountain drives. If time permits, stop near Joffre Lakes for breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and Joffre Glacier before continuing through steep valleys, alpine lakes and rugged interior scenery. Pass through Lillooet, a historic community known as “Mile Zero” of the Old Cariboo Wagon Road and an important landmark on the Gold Rush Trail, before continuing to Sun Peaks, a welcoming alpine resort village surrounded by forested hills and mountain views.

Day 4 Sun Peaks to Jasper | 444 km/276 mi Depart Sun Peaks and travel through British Columbia’s interior, following changing landscapes of forested valleys, rivers and mountain scenery. Continue toward Mount Robson Provincial Park, where the impressive slopes of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, rise above the surrounding wilderness. From here, travel east along the Yellowhead Route and enter Jasper National Park, a vast mountain landscape known for its wildlife, glacier-fed lakes, forests and dramatic peaks.

Day 5 Jasper | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Today you can tailor your day by selecting one of three Jasper experiences. Option 1. Maligne Lake Cruise | Operating season is weather dependent Cruise across Maligne Lake, one of Jasper National Park’s most photographed settings. Surrounded by mountain peaks, forested shoreline and brilliant alpine water, the journey includes views toward Spirit Island, one of the Canadian Rockies’ most iconic natural landmarks. Option 2. Jasper River Float Enjoy a gentle rafting experience on the Athabasca River, offering a relaxed and scenic perspective of Jasper National Park. Drift through a wide mountain valley with views of forests, peaks and wildlife habitat while your guide shares stories of the area’s natural and human history. Option 3. Jasper Nature Walk Explore Jasper National Park on a guided nature walk through a landscape of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams and glacial lakes. Along the way, learn more about the plants, wildlife and mountain ecology that make this region so remarkable.

Day 6 Jasper to Lake Louise | Ice Explorer + Skywalk | 208 km/129 mi Travel south along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular mountain drives in the world. This unforgettable route follows the spine of the Canadian Rockies, passing glacier-fed lakes, sweeping valleys, waterfalls and towering peaks. At the Columbia Icefield, step aboard the Ice Explorer for a journey onto ancient glacier ice, then continue to the Glacier Skywalk, where a glass-floored platform extends high above the Sunwapta Valley. These included experiences offer a powerful perspective on the scale, beauty and geology of this treasured region before you continue to Lake Louise.

Day 7 Lake Louise to Banff | 62 km/38 mi Depart Lake Louise for Banff, travelling through the heart of Banff National Park as glacier-fed waters, forested valleys, rugged peaks and classic Canadian Rockies scenery unfold along the way. In summer, travellers may enjoy either the Bow Valley Parkway, known for its quieter pace and wildlife viewing opportunities, or the Trans-Canada Highway, which offers a faster route with sweeping mountain vistas. Along the way, Johnston Canyon is a popular highlight, where a paved trail follows the canyon walls to rushing waterfalls, turquoise pools and dramatic limestone scenery. Continue to Banff, surrounded by alpine beauty, mountain views and the lively atmosphere of one of Canada’s most iconic Rockies towns.

Day 8 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 7 Excursions Today you can tailor your day by selecting one of seven Banff experiences. Option 1. Banff Gondola Ride the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for sweeping views over Banff, the Bow Valley and the surrounding peaks of Banff National Park. At the top, enjoy viewing platforms, interpretive exhibits and time to take in one of the most impressive panoramas in the Canadian Rockies. Option 2. Lake Minnewanka Cruise Cruise across the turquoise waters of Lake Minnewanka, surrounded by mountain peaks, forested shoreline and open alpine scenery. As you travel toward Devil’s Gap, enjoy a relaxed and scenic perspective of one of Banff National Park’s most beautiful glacier-fed lakes. Option 3. River Explorer Canoe Tour Enjoy a gentle guided canoe tour along the Bow River, where calm waters, mountain views and riverside scenery create a peaceful way to experience Banff National Park. This fun and interactive excursion is ideal for families, with no paddling experience necessary. Option 4. Bow River Horseback Adventure Saddle up for a guided horseback ride through the celebrated landscapes of Banff National Park. Follow scenic riverside trails, take in mountain views and experience the Rockies in a classic western style. Option 5. Banff Townsite E-Bike Tour Explore Banff on a relaxed guided e-bike ride to some of the town’s most scenic highlights, including Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, downtown Banff and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Enjoy mountain views, local history and an easy-paced ride suitable for beginners and families. Option 6. Upgrade Option: Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Sunset Wildlife Adventure with Picnic Dinner Experience the beauty of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake during the soft glow of golden hour. Travel through the mountain landscapes of Banff National Park as the evening light brings out the colour of the turquoise lakes, surrounding peaks and forested valleys. Along the way, watch for wildlife such as elk and deer, enjoy scenic shoreline walks and savour a picnic dinner in one of the Canadian Rockies’ most iconic settings. Option 7. Upgrade Option: Continental Divide Helicopter Tour Take to the skies on a spectacular helicopter flight over the Canadian Rockies and the Continental Divide. From above, admire a dramatic landscape of jagged peaks, alpine valleys, glaciers, hidden lakes and remote wilderness that few visitors ever see from the ground. This upgraded experience offers an unforgettable aerial perspective of the scale and beauty of the Rockies.

Day 9 Banff to Kamloops | Rocky Mountaineer Board Rocky Mountaineer this morning and begin your spectacular westbound journey through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Depart Banff surrounded by towering peaks and pristine alpine scenery, then travel through a succession of celebrated rail landmarks that showcase both the beauty and history of this remarkable route. Highlights include the famous Spiral Tunnels, the dramatic cliffs of Kicking Horse Canyon, the breathtaking mountain scenery of Rogers Pass, Stoney Creek Bridge and historic Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven. Later, the landscapes soften into the wide-open scenery of British Columbia’s Interior as you continue to Kamloops. (Breakfast & lunch are included today)

Day 10 Kamloops to Vancouver | Rocky Mountaineer Rejoin Rocky Mountaineer this morning and continue west through the striking landscapes of British Columbia. Follow the Thompson River through dry grasslands, rolling hills and rocky canyon country before entering the dramatic Fraser Canyon, where steep cliffs, powerful currents and remarkable rail engineering create some of the route’s most iconic scenery. Watch for highlights including Cisco Crossing and the surging whitewater of Hell’s Gate, then continue alongside the Fraser River through the fertile farmlands of the Fraser Valley before arriving in Vancouver later today. (Breakfast & lunch are included today)